Santa Monica Family Dentist

B

band – metal ring cemented in place around a tooth to allow brackets to attach to the teeth

banding – orthodontic process of fitting and cementing bands to teeth

base – insulating substance used beneath restorations to protect tooth pulp from changes in temperature

benefit – payment for covered dental services by third party insurer

benign – a term used to indicate mild, non-threatening, or non-malignant

bicuspid – tooth located in front of the molars and behind cuspids

bilateral – term meaning both right and left sides are indicated

biopsy – the removal of a small amount of tissue for examination and/or testing

bioinert – material property indicating it causes no physical reaction, such as inflammation or immune response

bite/occlusion – physical relationship between upper and lower teeth when closed

bleaching – whitening of the teeth, generally using a chemical oxidizing agent and/or laser treatment

block injection – anesthetic placed to cause numbness over a large area of the jaw and mouth

block graft – bone graft stabilized with screw, generally used to correct large bone defect

bond – mechanical or chemical adhesion connecting two surfaces, orthodontic appliance seal

bonding –  process of attaching brackets to teeth for braces or restoring teeth with composite resin to repair tooth color or shape

bone atrophy/resorption – loss of bone in jaw, commonly caused by periodontal disease

braces – orthodontic devices used to reposition teeth over time to correct misalignment, generally consisting of brackets and archwires

bracket – ceramic or metal piece cemented to the tooth to hold an archwire for orthodontic treatment

bridge/partial denture – dental prosthetic device used to replace one or more missing teeth, generally attaches to surrounding teeth or implants for support

bruxism – involuntary grinding of the teeth, usually while sleeping, often causing tooth wear, sensitivity, headaches, and jaw pain

buccal – referring to or toward the cheek